Organ



v 1,586,283 E. J. BUCHHEIM Y vCMM Filed Sept. 25, 1924 3 SheetSSheet 5 Patented Mayv 25, 1926.v

UNITED STATES EUGENE J'. IBUCI-IHEIIVJ, 0F HIGHLAND, ILLINOIS.

onGAN.

Application led September 25, 1924. Serial No. 739,836.

My invention relates 'to that part of an organ by which the great registers thereof kmay be coupled and uncoupled with the pedal` keyboard, at will, under the control of lthe operator, this control being commonly effec-ted through `the medium of a footopera'ted element, and the mechanism controlled by this element lbeing such that the coupling and uncoupling referred to is effected alternately-by actuation of .the footoperated element always in the same direction.

One of my objects is to provide a novel and positively--operating mechanism by which the coupling and uncoupling of 'the great registers of theorgan with the pedal keyboard may be effected 'under electric control. lAnother object is to provide for this control by means which are wholly electri- :ca-lly controlled; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description:

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of organ-mechanism embodying my invention, the mechanism having associated therewith a manually-operated stop-key shown as projec-'ting through thekeyboard illustrated in section. Figure 2 is @a view, partly diagrammatic, showingthe mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 but viewing it vfrom the opposite side thereof. Figure lis Va view in sectional elevation lof a foot-operated element in lconnection with which my invention may be vused and through vthe medium of which the great registers may be coupled to and uncoupled from, the pedal key-board; and Figure 4, a iu'ew, in the nature of a diagram, showing the various circuit connections between the severalv parts of the mechanism shown in` Figs. 1 and 2 and between this mechanism and the foot-operated element of Fig. 3.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention in a structure operated whollyby electrical means, for controlling 'the Iopening and clos- Y' ving of the circuit through the medium of which the'coup'ling of the great registers with 'the pedal keyboard, is effected, though without intending to li-mit the invention, as to certain features thereof to a. structure wholly electricalfly-operated. The mechan-ism shown comprises a bracket 10 `shown as rigidly secured, as by thel screws 11, tov

the rear y-side of the keyboard 12 which is provided lwith an opening I3 for a stop-key 14,"in the form of a tablet. Mounted on a each other, are the ones which, in practice,

would be interposed in the circuit in which the electrical mechanism for controlling the coupling and uncouplingpof the great registers with .the pedal key board, is interposed,

the closing of the circuit by engaging the"- contact 19 with the contact 18 operating to effect the coupling referred to and the disengaging of these contacts effecting the un coupling action.

The electrical mechanism just referred tov as controlled "by the contacts 18 and 19 may belof any suitable construction, as for'eX- ample that shown and described in the application for U. S. Letters Patent of Louis J. lNick, Serial No. 717 ,090, filed May `131, 1924;, the electro-magnet contacting device of which would be connected with the contacts- 18 and 19 and the sets of contacts offwhich would connect, respectively, with the several sound-producing devices ofthe great registers and the pedal keys separately controlling the sound-producing devices of the great registers.

The contacts 1G and 17, and the contacts 2O and 21, cooperate, respectively, with each other and are .provided for controlling electrically-operated mechanisms hereinafter described, for actuating in opposite directions, alternately, mechanismialso hereinafter described, for .conditioning :the contacts 18 and 19 relative to each other. f

The various contacts 16 and 21 inclusive, are adapted for simultaneousconditioning by a single operating member which, in the construction shown, is an armature 424; pivotally connected at its forward end, as 1indicatedl at :25, with the bracket -10, this armature, in the particular construction shown, rigidly carrying the stop-key 14, whereby .this armature and stop-key are in effect a unitary structure'. The karmature 211 is provided with a laterally extending plate 26 of insulating` material which extends between the contacts 19 and 2O and through the medium of which, in the oscillations of the armature 24, the conditioning of the members of these various sets of contact devices, is effected. 1t, may be here stated that the parts described are so proportionated and arranged that when the armature 241 is in the position shown in the drawings, the contact members 16 and 17 and the Contact members 18 and 19 are out of respective engagement and the contact members 2O and 21 are in engagement, as shown in 2, and when the armature 24.- is rocked upwardly, as by the means hereinafter described, the contact members 16 and 17 and 18 and 19 are caused to be in engagement with each other, respectively, and the contacts 2O and 21 out of engagement with each other. Thus the contact devices formed of the members 16 and 17 and V18 and 19, respectively, are open in the normal position of the structure and the Contact device formed of the members 2O and 21 is closed.

The armature 24 is provided at its rear end with oppositely extending arc-shaped extensions 27 and 28, the arcs of which are described about the pivot 25, these extensions co-operating, respectively, with the cores 29 and 30 of electro-magnets 31 and 32 rigidly secured at their cores to, and extending rearwardly from, the bracket 10, these magnets being shown as located one above the other in spaced relation with the armature 241 interposed therebetween. rlhe faces of the cores 29 and 30 which are opposed by the arc-shaped extensions of the armature 24 are preferably of arc-shape described about the pivot 25 as a center whereby these extensions are spaced from the ends of the cores a uniform distance at all times.

The magnets 31 and 32 which are separately energizable in alternation, operate to oscillate the armature 24, the magnet 3l, upon being energized, assuming the parts of the structure to be in the position shown in the drawings, operating to rock the armature 2/1 upwardly to a position in which the contact device formed of the contacts 2O and 21 is opened, and the magnet 32 operating, when energized, 'following' the deenergizing of the magnet 31, operatingto restore the various parts to the position shown in the drawings.

The mechanism shown is designed to be operated, to effect the oscillating of the armature 211, by alternately energizing the electro-magnets 31 and 32, where the controlling device is of such character that it is operable in the saine direction for both the coupling and uncouplingmovements, as for example, the great-to-pedal footoperated element hereinbefore referred to,

as commonly provided in organs. In Fig. 3, a construction of the foot-operated element of the general construction above referred to is shown, this element being formed with the base portion 33 carrying spring contact fingers 34 insulated from each other and normally spaced apart, the free ends of these lingers extending into the path of movement of a current-conducting, bridging, head 35 carried on the inner end of a plunger 36, reciprocable in the base 33, a coil spring 37 operating to automatically return the plunger 36 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, following the depressing of the plunger. The mechanism shown is of such character that each time the plunger 36 is depressed to bridge the eontacts`3-1, one or the other of the magnets 31 or 32 is energized, these magnets being energized alternately through the switch device of Fig. Referring now to the mechanism for accomplishing the operation liust stated, this mechanism comprises a plurality of electro-magnets 38 and 39, having cores 4-0 and 11 at which these' magnets are supported on brackets 42 and L13 carried by the arn'i 15 and insulated therefrom. The magnets 33 and 39 are provided with armatures ai and 4-5 pivotally supported at their upper ends, as indicated at 16 and 47, respectively, on the brackets 42 and L13, the outer extremities of these armatures terminating in the arc-shaped extensions 418 and 4:9 which directly cooperate with the cores 10 and 411, springs 50 and 51 interposed between the armatures 1-1 and 15 and the magnets 33 and 39, respectively, yieldingly holding these armatures in the normal position represented in the drawings. Cooperating with the magnet 3S and the armature 44- is a switch device 52 shown as formed of three springs metal contact strips 53, 511- and 55, secured to an arm 56 of the bracket 42 and insulated from each other by the insulation 57. The extremities of the strips 53 and 55 terminate in the portions 53 and 59 which extend toward each other and oppose the opposite faces of the contact strip but are spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of the contact 5ft. rlhese contact members are so constructed and arranged that in the normal position of the parts the Contact 5-1 engages the contact 55, but is adapted to be flexed out of engagement with the contact 55 and into engagement with the contact The shifting of the Contact member 54, as stated, is effected through the medium of an extension 60 provided on the armature 141 and into the path of movement of which, upon beconiing actuated by energizing the magnet 33, the Contact meinber 511 extends.

The magnet 39 and armature 15 cooperate with switch mechanism represented generally at 61 of the same coirtruction and opcrab-le in the same manner as explained of the switch 52, the portions of the switch mechanism 61 corresponding with the parts 53 to 60 inclusive, being represented at 62 to 69 inclusive, respectively.

The various electrical connections between the parts of the switch mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is illustrated by the diagrainmatic showing in Fig. 4 and comprises the following: The contact 16 is connected by a wire 70 with the Contact 64; the contact 17 connects, by a wire 71, with one of the `terminals of the `electro-magnet 38, the other termi-nal of which connects with a wire 72 which vis connected with the terminals 31a and 3J of .the magnets 31 and 32.

The otl'ier terminals of these two magnets,

represented at 31b and 32h, are connected with the contacts 62 and 53, respectively, by the wires 73 and 74, the wire 74 being connected, by .ai wire 74a, with the wire 71 and the wire 73 being connected, by a wire 75, with one of, the `terminals of the magnet 39, the other terminal of which connects by a wire 76 with 'the wire 72; the contact 21 cormects, by a wire 77, with the wire 73; the contact 2O connects, by a wire 78, with the contact 55; and the contacts 54 and 63 are connected together by a wire 79.

In the particular arrangement shown in Fig. 4, the source of current controlled by the mechanism shown', is a generator represented at v80, one terminal of this generator being connected by a wire 81 with the terminal 31a of the magnet 31, and the other terminal ot' this generator being connected, by a wire. 82, with one of the contacts 34 of the switch device, shown in Fig. 3, the other contact 34 of this switch device being connected by a wire 83, with the wire 79. The parts of the mechanism shown arel represented in the ydrawings as in normal position, in which the stop-key 14 is elevated, and the contact strips 18 and 19 are out of enga-gement with each other whereby the circuit in which the vmechanism (not shown) for controlling the coupling of the great registers with `the pedal keyboard, is open and this mechanism is in uncoupled condition. In this position of the parts, the contac-ts 54, 63, and 2O are in engagement, respectively, with the contacts 55, 64, and 21, t 1e contacts 16 and 18 being out of engagement with the respective contacts 17 and 19. The depressing of the plunger 36 to a position .in which the contacts 34 are bridged, causes the circuit in which the magnet 31 is interposed to Abecome energized with the result of raising the armature 24 to a. position in which the contacts 17 and 19 are caused to engage with the contacts 16 and 18, respectively, and the contact 20 to disengage from the contact 21, thereby closing the circuit through the mechanism, hereinbefore referred to, for actuating the coupler to a position in which the great registers :of the organ would be connected for operation by the keys of the pedal keyboard The circuits established by actuating the switch plunger 36, as stated, `are as follows, from the generator 8O through wire 82, switch .device ot which the contacts 34 are parts, wire 83, wire 79, Contact 54, contact 455, wire 78, contact 20, contact 21, wire v77, magnet 39,

wire 76, wire 72 and wire 81, backfto generlarmature 24 in clockwise direction in Figs.

2 and 4, with the result of raising the p1ate`26 and forcing the contact 19 into Aengagement with the contact 18 and the contact 17 into engagement with the contact 16, and permitting the contacts 2O and 2l to separate. The engaging of the contact 19 with thecontact 18, as stated, operates to close the circuit Athrough the mechanism, hereinbefore referred to, for eiecting the coupling of the great registers with the pedal keyboard, ythe armature 24 remaining in the position .to which it is actua-ted, as stated, a'iter the 'operator discontinues pressure on the plunger 36, by virtue lof the spring device 84 secured at its forward end to the bracket 10, .as represented at 85, with its rear end deflected as represented at l86, between which 1de-y tlected end, and a bar 87 on the armature 24, a rod 88 is confined under the tension of this spring, the rod 88 extending below a line connecting the pivot 25 `and the point at which' the rear end of the rod engages the spring part 86, in the normal position of the armature (Figure 1)v and extending above this line when the 'armature is raised by the energizing of the magnet 31.

liihen the operator again depresses the plunger' 36, to return vthe arma-ture y24 to normal position (Figs. 1 and 2), the following circuit is established. From the generator 80, through wire 82, switch device Aof which the contacts v34 are parts, wire 83, wire 79, contact 63, contact 64, wire 70, contact 16, contact 17, wire 71, magnet 38, wire 7 2 and wire 81 back to generator A"86. Thus energizing the nagnet 38 causes the armature 44 to swing to the left. in Figs. 2 and 4, thereby disengaging the contact 54 from the contact 55' and moving the contact 54 into engagement with the contact 53, whereupon the 'following circuit is established. From generator through wire `82, `switch device, wire 83, wire 79, contacts 154 and '53,

wire 74, terminal 32, magnet 32, terminal 32, wire 72 and wire 8l back to generator. Thus energizing magnet 32 operates to rotate the armature 24 in counterclockwise direction in Figs. 2 and 4 back to the normal position therein shown, with the result that the contacts 18 and 19 disengage and uncoupling` act-ion between the great registers and the pedal keyboard, occurs. The foregoing' description et the operation oit the st-ructnre. describes one conmlote cvcle ot onerations involving' the coupling' and unconpling; ot the great registers to the pedal keyboard, it boinc; understood that in the succeeding operations ot the plunger 3G, by the operator, this cycle of operations is repeated.

It will be noted that. it desired, a plurality ot the switch devices such as, or correspondincY to, the switch ot Fig. 3 may be employed and located at ditterent places ou the instrument and through the medium ot any one of which the mechanism described may be operated. in which case the switches referred to may be arranged, in parallel, in the generator circuit.

l/lllhile the element 36 is described a foot-operated element it will be understood that such element may be provided oit a construction and so positioned as to be accessible for hand-control., it desired. Furthermore, it desired. a plurality ot elements corresponding with element 3G, all toot controlled. or all hand controlled.v or some toot controlled and the others hand controlled, may be provided, these elements being' located at ditlierent positions on the instrument as desired, and through any one ot which the control of the electrical relay mechanism described may be effected.

lVhile l have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my invention, l do not wish to be understood as intending' to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously moditied and altered, and the invention embodied in other Forms ot structure, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

lfVhat l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination with mechanism to be controlled, ot controlling' mechanism theretor, comprisiiig a controlling element operable, in. each operation, in the same direction, and electrical mechanism interposed between said first-named mechanism and said controllingI element and operating', upon successive operations, respectively, ot said controlling element, to effect ditliereut conditionings, respectively, ot said tiret-named mechanism.

2, In a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereot, oit coupling,- mechanism controllable to etfcct the coupling;f and uncoupling of said great registers with said pedal keyboard, a controlling' element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, and electrical mechanism interposed between said coupling' mechanisn'i and said control-lable element and operating' upon one actuation of said controlling; element to canse said coupling mechanism to be in coupled condition and upon the next succeeding operation et said element to be in uncoupled condition.

rlhe combination with. mechanism to be controlled, ot controlling; mechanism therefor, conmrising a controlling' element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, and electrical mechanisn'i interposed between said tiret-named mechanism and said controlling element and con'iprising an armature by the movements ot which said iirst-named mechanism is controlled, a plurality ot magnets with which said armature co-operates and by the alternate energi- /.ations ot wnich said armature is moved in opposite directions, and mechanism operable to alternately energize said magnets in successive actuations ot said controlling clement.

4. ln a musical instrument, the combina tion with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof. ot coupling1 mechanism controllable to ettect the coupling and unconpling` ot said great registers with said pedal keyboard, a controlling element. operable, in each operation. in the same direction. and electrical mechanism interposed between said coupling` mechanism and said controlling clement and comprising' an armature by the movements ot which said coupling' mechanism is controlled, a plurality ot magnets with which said arl'nature cti-operates and by the alternate cnergizations ot which said armature is moved in opposite directions, and mechanism operable to alternately energize said niagrnets in successive act-nations ot said controlling clement.

5. The combination with mechanism to be controlled, ot controlling mechanism therefor, comprisingi a controlling' element operable, in cach operation, in the same direction, and mechanism interposed between said lirst-named mechanism and said controlling` element operating upon successive operations, respectivelv. ot said controlling element to etliect dil conditioning, respectively, or" said tirst-named mechanism con'iprising relays having' contact devices, mechanism controlled by said relays, a movable member controlled hy d last-named mechanism, contacts controlled by said movable member, and circuit connections between said contact devices and said contacts` the whole beine so constructed and arranged that when said movable member is in one position and said controlling element operated, one ot said relays will be actuated to effect a certain conditioning of saidr firstnamed mechanism, and when said movable member is in another position and' said controlling'element is` again actuated, the other of said relays will be actuatedlto effectv a different conditioningl of said first-'named mechanism. l y

6.111 a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof, of coupling mechanism controllable to effect the 'coupling and unconpling' of said great registers with said pedal' keyboard, a controlling element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, mechanism interposed between said coupling mechanism and said controlling element operating upon successive operations, respectively, of said controlling element, to cause said coupling mechanism to be in coupledI and uncoupled condition, respectively, com.- prising relays lia-ving Contact devices, mechanism controlled by said relays, a movable member controlled by sa-id last-named mechanism, contacts controlled by said movable "member, and circuit connections between said contactdevices and said contacts, the whole being so constructed and arranged that when said movable member is in one position and said controlling` element is operated, one of said relays will be actuated to cause said coupling mechanism to be in coupled condition, and when said movable member is in another position and said controlling element is again actuated, the other of said relays will be actuated to edect the uncoupling of said first-named mechanism.

7. The combination with mechanism to be controlled, of controlling` mechanism therefor, comprising a controlling element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, and mechanism interposed between said first-named mechanism and said controlling element operating upon successive operations, respectively, of said controlling element to effect different conditioning, respectively, of said first-named mechanism comprising` relays having contact devices, electrically operated mechanism controlled by said relays, a movable member controlled by said last-named mechanism, contacts controlled by said movable member, and circuit connections between said contact devices and said contacts, the whole being so constructed and arranged that when said movable member is in one position and said controlling` member is operated, one of said relays will be actuated to effect a certain conditioning of said first-named mechanism, and when said` movable member is in another position and said controlling member is again actuated, the other of said relays will be actuated to effect a different conditioning of said first-named mechanism.

8. In a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof, of` couplingy mechanism controllable to effect the coupling and uncou` pling of said great registers with said pedal keyboard, a controlling'element operable, in each operation,V in the same direction,v mechanism interposed between said 'couplingA ated to cause said coupling mechanism to bein coupled condition, and when'v said movable member is in another position and said controlling element is again actuated, the other of said relays will be actuated to effect the uncoupling of said first-named mechanism.

9. In a musical instrument, the combina.- tion with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof, of coupling mechanism contro-liable to effect the coupling and unconpling of said great registers with said pedal keyboard, a controlling element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, mechanism interposed between said coupling mechanisin and said controlling element operating upon successive operations, respectively, of said controlling element, to cause said coupling mechanism to be in coupled and uncoupled condition, respectively, comprising relays having contact devices, electric magnets controlled by said relays, an armature the position of which is controlled by said electric magnets, and contacts controlled by said armature, the whole being so constructed and arranged that when said armature is in one position and said controllinO' element is actuated, one of said relays will be actuated to cause said coupling mechanism to be in coupled condition and when said armature is in another position and said controlling element is again actuated, tlie other of said relays will be actuated to effect uncoupling of said first named mechanism.

10. In a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof, of electrical mechanism for operating the sound-producing devices of the great registers upon actuating the keys of the pedal key board, and electrical mechanism for controlling the conditioning of said first-named electrical mechanism for operation and involving a controlling element operable, -in each operation, in the same direction, and operating upon successive operations to 'effect different conditionings of said last-named mechanism.

1l. In a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal key-board thereof, of mechanism for operating the sound-producing devices of the great registers upon actuating the keys of the pedal key-board, and an electrical `device controlling the conditioning ot said mechanism for operation, and electrical mechanism for controlling the condition of said electrical device to control the operation of said electrical device, and involving a controlling element operable, in each operation, in the same direction and operating upon successive operations to effect a diierent conditioning of said last-named mechanism.

12. In a musical instrument, the combination with the great registers and pedal keyboard thereof, of mechanism for operating the sound-producing devices of the great registers upon actuating the keys of the pedal key-board, a controlling element oper# able, in each operation, in the same direction, and means, operable Wholly by electric current, and controlled by said controlling element, for controlling said mechanism.

13. The combination With mechanism to be controlled, ot' controlling mechanism therefor, comprising a controlling element operable, in each operation, in the same direction, and electrical mechanism interposed betWeen said firstnamed mechanism and said controlling element and comprising a movable member by the movements ot' which said iirst-named mechanism is controlled, a plurality oit' energizable members With which said movable member cooperates and by the alternate energizations of which said movable member is moved in opposite directions, and mechanism operable to energize said energizable members in successive actnations of said controlling element.

EUGENE J. BUCHHEIM. 

